Homicide Investigation

October 31, 2008
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 576-3016
Sheriff's Office

Madison, WI: On October 31, 2008, at approximately 2:16 p.m., Dane County deputies, Cross Plains Police and Cross Plains EMS responded to an apartment in the 2500 block of Valley Street in the Village of Cross Plains for a reported shooting. The initial information received was that two people at the apartment had been shot and the suspect had fled the area in a pick up truck. Upon arrival it was determined that one person was killed and the other was seriously injured. The suspect vehicle was located in the City of Middleton and was not occupied. The suspect in this incident has been preliminarily identified as Charles E. Witzel, Jr. , white male, age 42 who has ties to Arena and Loganville WI. Witzel is approximately 6’, 180 pounds, long brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Witzel is asked to call 911 immediately. Witzel is considered armed and dangerous. Dane County Sheriff’s Office and Cross Plains Police are continuing to search for Witzel and investigate this incident. Anyone with other information related to the case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 255-2345. ****A PRESS CONFERENCE is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. tonight in Cross Plains in parking lot of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church at 2427 Church Street (across from the Cross Plains Police Department. )******** See Attached Photo: